Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission To Promote Peace, One School At a Time
Host :: Carol (on 12/12/07)I'm STILL not done yet. It's taken me FOREVER but getting very close to finishing. I've surprisingly enjoyed the ride that Greg Mortenson has taken me. What a fascinating, inspiring journey. This one person has done AMAZING things to make the world a better place and he literally just stumbled upon it and through determination and a big heart, he made it happen. It's also interesting that I have never heard of this dude before and he's like a Mother Teresa! I do hope his story gets heard by more people.
Ana, is it just you and me?! I am not so original but I found these questions online and I liked them so here goes:
1) Mortenson didn't set out for Pakistan with the intention of becoming a philanthropist. What triggered his change of course and have you ever had such a sudden life changing experience?
2) In particular, how does Mortenson cope with working in a Muslim society? How did the community adapt to him?
3) What is it about Greg Mortenson that has made him so successful at building schools in Pakistan? Which parts of the book best highlight these characteristics?
Reply :: Ana (on 12/16/07)
There is so much I can write in response to question #3. But most simply, I believe the key characteristic is love. Not the trite or superficial kind. There is an unfettered, unblemished love that radiates from this guy - the kind that pierces through any imaginable earthly divide - be it landmass, language, religion, or politics. His is a love so pure it manifests itself in ways to which anyone couldn’t resist but respond with resounding positivity. They, We, witness love, sincerity, authenticity, genuineness, and also respect.
A friend of mine recently sent me an email that read, “Quick, answer me this – Can we share in each other’s spiritual traditions?” My answer was somewhere along the lines of “Not necessarily…not if one’s ‘tradition’ is not aligned with the other’s core spiritual beliefs…”
I recount this email exchange to demonstrate something I believe to be true and profound. I believe that beyond the characteristic of being loving, the power that drives Greg’s success lies in the fact that his life’s passion is a true reflection of universal goodness and truth. And because Greg’s cause is good, it cannot be misaligned with any belief or spiritual tradition that is also good. And because Greg’s cause is good, it cannot fail.
I know I’ve been somewhat nebulous with my response. So much depth I just can’t delve into in a few short paragraphs. But I’d be more than happy to entertain any comments or questions from you fellow book club members. I do hope more of you are reading/have read this book.
As for which parts of the book best highlight this characteristic (of being loving) – oh dear, I can hardly choose. Carol is right. This book is most inspiring. So many moments in Greg’s life had he been moved to extreme by his love and compassion… Each time I read about one of those moments, I felt a pull on my own heart and a further strengthening of my own resolve. So many moments of joy, pride, grief, hope. I don’t want to give them away. You must read for yourself. Out of the determined, though at times precariously strung, threads of Greg’s humbling story has humankind been woven a most impressive and enduring tapestry – a tapestry brilliant with the colors of love, goodness, hope, and truth.
posted by ana opulencia @ 5:07 PM
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